National Center for Computing Education Computing Hub
The Computing Hub are one of the 34 Computing Hubs across England. They serve all of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, North Northamptonshire, South Holland and Bedford.
Free and low-cost computing CPD with DfE-funded supply-cover subsidies for staff working in primary and secondary schools at all career stages.
Teachers from state-funded schools or colleges
From 1 April 2023, all NCCE teacher CPD, including online, face to face, residential and remote courses, is free for state-funded primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.
Trainee, supply and returning computer science teachers
Courses which are part of the Computer Science Accelerator programme are free to trainee teachers, supply teachers and returning computer science teachers.
Teachers from independent schools
£75 for short courses or a fee of £220 per full-day course is payable for independent schools for any of our face to face or remote courses. Course fees are payable upfront, and the cancellation and no-show policy applies.
Upcoming Events and CPD Opportunities
Primary
Assessment of Primary Computing
Through a range of formative and summative assessment approaches you will confidently evaluate learning in computing, exploring various methods of evidence gathering to support and validate assessment data. You’ll find out what is different about assessing computing compared to other subjects, ensuring that your assessment of each strand is accurate. You’ll also consider how to assess computational thinking – the key capability to solve problems using computers. Schools follow a diverse set of assessment policies and practices – this CPD recognises the different school contexts and guides participants to apply techniques and tools that work with, not against, the wider school ethos.
There are 4 sessions, equivalent to a day of CPD.
- 17 May 2024 (1 day course)
- Huntingdon
- 10:00 AM
Topics Covered:
01 | What we assess in computing – develop an improved understanding of the over-arching computing curriculum; the key concepts and skills it contains; and the assessable outcomes in the classroom. Compare the National Curriculum to your school’s curriculum to ensure adequate coverage and that key assessment points are being met in each year group. Develop a clear vision of age-related objectives appropriate for your school.
02 | How we assess in computing – Develop your understanding of formative and summative assessment in a computing context and consider a range of assessment methods that can be used in either or both situations. Build a toolkit of assessment-for-learning approaches and give better feedback, while reducing workload.
03 | Assessing specific areas in computing – Both programming and computational thinking consist of progression in knowledge, and the skills to apply that knowledge. You’ll have the opportunity to explore and practise a range of assessment techniques specific to these areas and discuss which are more suited to assessing declarative or procedural knowledge.
04 | Using assessment – Supporting and validating assessment requires all staff to understand how to gather evidence, where to store evidence of learning and what to gather in order to be able to assess progress. Explore and discuss best practice whilst also aiming to reduce workload. Learn how to use the aforementioned assessment techniques to demonstrate progress within and across year groups.
Secondary
Adapted teaching and effective learning interventions in secondary computing
Live remote training course across 6 dates
13 May
28 May
18 June
24 June
10 July
25 July
Develop an evidence-informed approach to education recovery over a sustained period, securing the computing education of young people following a period of great disruption.
Topics covered:
Teaching and curriculum – consider the impact of disruption on learning and long term recall, and strategies to overcome this. Evaluate the curriculum, and core subject knowledge for progression, developing informed plans for curriculum implementation and assessment. Focus efforts on the approaches most likely to benefit students and lead to lasting improvement and engagement.
Targeted subject knowledge support – reflect upon the range of classroom approaches and resources at your disposal, with guidance to implement those that best meet the needs of your students. Ensure that all students, including those with SEND, and those transitioning between key stages, receive the support they need to succeed. Skilfully use assessment to target and evaluate interventions to maximise the return on your effort.
Wider strategies – support the academic, emotional and social development of young people through computing lessons and innovative approaches to homework. Engage with parents to maximise progress in partnership. Enrich the computing curriculum, and raise aspiration in computing. Consider the needs of your own school context, and plan to successfully support the education recovery of your students.
SEND
Creating an Inclusive Classroom: Approaches to Supporting Learners with SEND in Computing
(FREE Online Course - Self study - 8hrs)
Explore ways to make your computing lessons more inclusive for learners with special educational needs and disabilities
Topics Covered:
Common barriers faced by students with SEND in computing lessons
Strategies to support students overcome barriers
Explore both general and specific computing activities that will help to include and engage learners